Archive for the ‘ Medical Malpractice’ Category

Health Care Reform Trackers Criticize California Medical Malpractice Law

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

Journalists are showing why a current health care reform initiative should not be similar to prior California efforts to limit payouts for medical injuries. Recent articles cite the state’s Medical Injury Compensation Reward Act (MICRA) as something that capped injury awards at $250,000. Consumer advocates contend that this kind of legislation makes it very difficult for potential plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases to find good legal representation and seek justice after suffering injury.

There’s also the argument that MICRA didn’t really do much to control health care costs. Analysis of the track record for this program criticized the small improvements in medical malpractice premiums, calling the positive effect “negligible” and showing that state hospitalization costs continued to rise over some of the period of effectiveness for the tort cap.

In general, many of those who follow medical malpractice from the consumer’s viewpoint are arguing that “pain and suffering” compensation isn’t just something intangible and therefore frivolous. They point to significant hardship for personal injury victims and say that they deserve additional compensation from insurance companies or other parties. These victims need the payouts that they seek in medical malpractice cases.

If you have been the victim of an injury caused by medical malpractice, call our Los Angeles medical malpractice lawyer, Samer Habbas, for advice on your options under the law. Mr. Habbas has helped many clients secure compensation for their injuries in medical malpractice cases and other personal injury situations. Call The Law Offices of Samer Habbas at 888-848-5084 qualified legal representation for your injury claim.

12 California Hospitals Under Fire, Orange County Facility Cited

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

A recent Los Angeles Times story shows that courts have fined 12 California hospitals for medical errors involving medical overdoses, surgical error and much more. The California Department of Public Health has mandated corrective treatment plans for the involved facilities, which include the USC University Hospital near downtown Los Angeles and 11 more hospitals across the state.

Legal action against the hospitals has revealed instances in which medical workers left surgical items inside the body of a patient, as well as situations of patients receiving incorrect medications or improper dosages that led to significant injury. The hospitals involved have the ability to appeal, but some hospital officials have indicated that their facilities are not likely to begin the appeal process.

Medical malpractice harms many people each year. California state agencies do their best to monitor the quality of care that Orange County patients and others across the state are receiving, but unfortunately, some egregious medical errors continue to occur. Patients who experience injury in medical malpractice situations can rely on qualified legal representation to handle their claims.

If you or someone you love has been a victim of medical malpractice, call our experienced Orange County medical malpractice lawyer at The Law Offices of Samer Habbas. Mr. Habbas has experience assisting personal injury victims, and he can explain all of the applicable laws, helping you to build a strong medical malpractice claim in order to get the compensation that you deserve. Call 888-848-5084 today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

The Power of Proactive Communications in Medical Malpractice Cases

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Resources from the California State Bar Journal show that an apology can go a long way. Highlighting a recent case involving the Kent Hospital in Warwick, R.I., the feature article shows that a public apology from representatives of a medical care facility can help to compel victims of medical malpractice to settle rather than drag a case through the courts. The case of Michael Woods, 49, who died in the Rhode Island hospital, included a direct apology to family members from high-ranking hospital staff.

Medical malpractice attorneys in California look at issues like this one to evaluate how other medical malpractice cases will proceed towards just and adequate resolution. The thorny issue of knowing when to seek a settlement and when to press for a trial is one that skilled California attorneys often end up discussing with their clients, persuading them to act on what is ultimately in their best interests. Although the medical malpractice victim is responsible for making the decision, a professional lawyer can fully explain why settlement or a trial can actually be a much more desirable strategy for obtaining the compensation that victims and their families need.

If you believe that you have a medical malpractice case in California, talk to our Orange County medical malpractice lawyer, Samer Habbas. Mr. Habbas has years of experience in protecting clients’ rights under the law, and he will assist you with your case every step of the way. He can explain all of the legal ramifications, helping you to build a solid medical malpractice claim. Call 888-848-5084 to find out how The Law Offices of Samer Habbas can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Medical Board Hears Testimony From Octomom’s Doctor

Thursday, October 21st, 2010

An October 20 meeting of the Medical Board of California in Los Angeles uncovered more details about the “Octomom Doctor” who helped Nadya Suleman get pregnant with embryos that resulted in her famous octuplet birth. Dr. Michael Kamrava faced charges of medical negligence in multiple cases including his work with Suleman and another woman who engaged in a multiple birth.

News reports indicate that although Kamrava pursued treatments out of line with general medical guidelines in implanting the embryos, it never affected his medical license. The doctor has described the patient’s treatment as “a choice” by women who want more embryos in a single pregnancy than federal health standards recommend.

Regardless of whether Dr. Kamrava engaged in anything that could be called medical malpractice, the unfolding research on these cases shows that some doctors operate beyond the bounds of what the medical community generally considers inappropriate. California residents should understand the difference between a single doctor’s approach and the common medical standards approved by state and national health agencies.

For anyone affected by any kind of medical malpractice case in California, our California medical malpractice lawyer, Samer Habbas, can help. He has years of experience helping clients with different types of personal injury and wrongful death cases. If you or someone in your family has been the victim of medical malpractice in California, contact The Law Offices of Samer Habbas about your rights under the law. Call us at 888-848-5084 today to find out how you can get the compensation you deserve.

Anaheim Doctor Lost License Once, Accused of Another Death

Friday, June 25th, 2010

An Anaheim physician whose license had been revoked in 2002 but reinstated is again facing serious allegations of negligence after the death of a woman during an abortion. The license of the Anaheim obstetrician-gynecologist was suspended pending a recent California Medical Board hearing. According to records, the doctor is being investigated for the following:

  • Administering anesthesia without knowing the safe dosage
  • Practicing medicine in an unlicensed office
  • Performing surgery outside a hospital without malpractice insurance

The doctor voluntarily surrendered his medical license in 2002 after a two-year California Medical Board investigation. The investigation was prompted by the deaths of two infants in addition to allegations of lying to patients, having sex with a patient in his office and performing unnecessary hysterectomies. In 2007, his license was reinstated, outraging many of his former clients.

The doctor’s current troubles stem from a July 2009 incident where a 30-year-old woman was undergoing an abortion procedure. Records indicate that the doctor injected lidocaine into her cervix, which caused the woman to have a severe reaction. The doctor reportedly performed CPR, but Board records indicate that there was a “significant delay” in calling 911. The woman was in full cardiac arrest when the paramedics arrived and died in the hospital six days later. An autopsy cited the cause of death as “lidocaine toxicity.”

Hiring an experienced California medical malpractice attorney is a key element of a successful medical malpractice lawsuit. An Orange County medical malpractice attorney should have many years of experience assisting clients in these cases and should have extensive knowledge of proper medical procedures. Your Los Angeles medical malpractice lawyer should also have the resources to bring in expert witnesses and handle lengthy trials. Call 888.848.5084 to schedule a free consultation with the experienced California medical malpractice lawyers at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas today.